Water safety lessons roll out for summer

SUMMER is now in full swing and more Victorian children are getting the opportunity to learn about water safety.

VICSWIM’S Summer Kidz swim classes will return in January, offering five 30-minute lessons to children aged four to 12 over the course of a week.

Aiming to reduce barriers to lessons for families, the program runs at a subsidised cost of $43.

Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence, said the initiative played an important role in keeping children safe around water.

“This program helps families by reducing the cost of lessons, which helps kids from all backgrounds be prepared and confident in and out of the water,” she said.

“The importance of water safety and swimming skills cannot be overstated, that’s why these lessons are so important.”

The VICSWIM learn-to-swim program has been running since 1976 and has helped generations of Victorian children develop essential swimming and water safety skills, with thousands participating each year at pools and beaches across the state.

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria chief executive, Kathy Parton, said the program remained a vital part of summer in Victoria.

“VICSWIM has become a key part of the social fabric of Victoria’s summer,” she said.

“At a time of increased drowning and cost-of-living pressures, VICSWIM offers a low cost learn to swim/water safety education program for children aged four to 12, in pools and beaches across Victoria.”

The program will begin on January 5.

For more information, a list of participating locations and to register, head to vicswim.com.au